Problem solved? MathWorks expansion nears reality

After more than a year of negotiations with Natick town officials, neighbors and interested community groups, The MathWorks Inc. might finally be able to expand its Apple Hill campus along Route 9.

The MathWorks, a privately held supplier and developer of software for scientists and engineers, wants to build a 165,000-square-foot addition and garage to its main campus, which it partially owns.

Neighbors and members of the Walnut Hill Association expressed concern that the expansion would add more cut-through traffic to their neighborhood and an above-ground parking garage would diminish the area’s charm.

In order to appease the opposition, MathWorks has discussed building a partially underground garage, constructing a Route 9 traffic turnaround — as ordered by MassHighway — and paying for temporary improvements to intersections along Route 9.

David Smith, spokesman for The MathWorks, said he could not comment on what it would cost The MathWorks for the public improvements, since discussions with the state were ongoing.

“It has been a long process and we have been cooperative with the town and the state on a number of issues that have been raised and we’re continuing to cooperate,” said Smith. “We’re waiting right now for a decision to be made.”

The improvements to Route 9 are part of what municipalities refer to as “mitigation,” or gifts companies are asked to give in the form of public improvements.

In The MathWorks’ case, the expansion is not possible under the current zoning and requires a special permit from the Planning Board.

The Natick Planning Board has already approved a site plan, landscaping plans and a traffic mitigation plan, said Patrick Reffett, Natick’s director of community development.

Last week Reffett said the decision making was in its “11th hour” but admitted it would be “highly unlikely” for the planning board to approve other aspects of the expansion plan and not the expansion itself. The public hearing will end July 16, at which time the planning board could announce its decision.

If for some reason the board does not approve the expansion, The MathWorks already has a list of backup sites, said the company’s real estate broker, Garry Holmes of R.W. Holmes Realty Co. Inc.

However, The MathWorks’ business is growing so fast that even with approval to expand, the company could need another 100,000 square feet of space in the next 18 months, said Holmes. If Natick turns down

The MathWorks’ planned expansion, the company will pursue another location for a campus with as much as 1 million square feet, said Holmes.

The company, founded in 1984, employs more than 1,600 people and, according to its Web site, contributes to social and environmental causes, including providing scholarships to local high school graduates.

The proposal before Natick town officials calls for The MathWorks to increase the campus to 35 acres, four buildings and almost 630,000 square feet. The private company also has offices in Australia, China and South Korea.

Reffett said considers The MathWorks a good corporate citizen and has said it would be unfortunate if the company left town.

Developers wanted in New Bedford

New Bedford business and community leaders and MassDevelopment rolled out the red carpet last month to persuade developers to build there.

It was the second developers conference that MassDevelopment organized to draw attention to what the agency calls the state’s “gateway cities.” The first conference was held several months ago in Springfield, said Janet Hookailo, spokeswoman for

MassDevelopment.

The New Bedford event drew nearly 80 developers and representatives from local companies for a tour of the city and a presentation at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

Hookailo said MassDevelopment spearheaded the initiative to help cities highlight their assets.

“Not everybody’s first thought is ‘I’d like to do some work in New Bedford, in Springfield or Worcester,’ ” Hookailo said.